Inside GymNation Othaim Mall — the 29th and 30th facilities the fitness giant has launched to date
GymNation has planted two more flags on Saudi Arabian soil with the launch of men’s and ladies’ facilities in Othaim Mall, Dammam.
Armed with hugely ambitious plans for expansion, the People’s Gym has its sights firmly set on dominating the Kingdom’s flourishing wellness scene.
Earlier this year, the Middle East’s fastest-growing fitness brand cut the ribbon on its Qurtubah locations in Riyadh — described at the time by GymNation Founder and CEO Loren Holland as the group’s “biggest and best product to date”.
Since then, Holland and co have stayed true to their promise, adding more gyms in the Kingdom’s capital to bolster the existing offerings in Jeddah and Al Khobar.
GymNation Othaim Mall marks yet another new territory for the 24-hour giant. Its debut in Dammam — a city seated on the coast of the Persian Gulf — marks gyms number 29 and 30 across the Middle East.
Over half of those are now located in Saudi Arabia, with plenty more to come. Construction at Hassan Mall in Madinah is underway, while further gyms in Riyadh, Al Khobar and Jeddah are being kitted out.
Before we explore what’s to come, let’s take a look at what GymNation Othaim Mall has to offer.
GymNation Othaim Mall: Waking Up in a New City
Situated on the first floor of the uniquely ship-shaped Othaim Mall, GymNation’s newest arrivals are packed with equipment, studios, and spaces to whet every fitness appetite.
First-look images reveal rows upon rows of dumbbells and benches, complemented by dedicated sections for HYROX, glute training, and cardio.
Open 24/7, the gym’s many corners boast over 500 free weights and machines, plus speciality features like training turf for sled work and forearm-punishing farmers’ carries.
The studios blend GymNation’s cyberpunk style with touches that nod to Saudi Arabia’s architectural heritage.
They’ll play host to over 400 free fitness classes a month, spanning everything from various Les Mills workouts to yoga.
For a full 360-degree member experience, GymNation Othaim Mall comes complete with ice and sauna recovery zones, a smoothie and salad café, and free parking.
Vision 2030: A More Active Saudi Arabia
With a population of over 35 million and low fitness penetration, the Saudi market offers huge potential for GymNation to further strengthen its grip on the Middle East.
The brand’s affordable pricing model — matched with high-quality facilities — has already proven a hit in a region where membership fees are often sky-high.
That accessibility has earned GymNation a warm welcome from the Saudi government, which is working to boost fitness participation as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.
Speaking at the tail end of last year, Holland said: “We’ve received a very warm welcome and found Saudi Arabia to be a highly business-friendly environment, facilitated by ongoing support from the Ministry of Investment, who have been instrumental in GymNation’s expansion into the Kingdom.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time, and GymNation wants to be at the forefront of driving these initiatives as the region’s ‘movement partner.’
“We are excited to continue championing healthy and active lifestyles and supporting the communities we serve to become better versions of themselves, no matter what their fitness goals.
“We’ve seen particularly strong demand from Saudi women, where female membership numbers have outpaced those of men.
“Our uniform pricing across genders has resonated strongly with a market where female-only gyms are often priced significantly higher than their male counterparts.”
GymNation wants to launch over 100 locations across the Gulf Cooperation Council — the alliance encompassing Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
This expansion would see first-time launches in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. And with the debut of GymNation Othaim Mall, the group has made its intentions crystal clear: it’s not here to take part — it’s here to take over.
Head to GymNation’s website to explore membership options.
Photo Credit: GymNation
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